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Local golf attire company, Teen Lifeline partner

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Bad Birdie, a Scottsdale-based golf apparel company that made the national scene in an episode of the Shark Tank TV show, is collaborating with the Phoenix-based teen suicide prevention nonprofit, Teen Lifeline.

All proceeds from sales of two new, limited-edition polo shirts, a long sleeve T-shirt and two bucket hats, known in the garment industry as a capsule, will be donated directly to Teen Lifeline.

“Shoppers interested in purchasing the apparel in support of Teen Lifeline are encouraged to place their orders as soon as possible,” the company said in a release, adding that the items are “expected to sell out quickly, especially as the holiday shopping season is about to begin.”

“We’ve never collaborated with a nonprofit on sales of an apparel capsule before,” said Bad Birdie founder Jason Richardson.

“But there are so many teens in Arizona who play golf and wear our products, we believe it’s important for us to make an impact for them and their mental health.”

Teen peer counselors, ages 15 to 19, at Teen Lifeline responded to more than 22,000 calls and 20,000 text messages from troubled youths throughout Arizona in 2021. That’s 115 calls or texts per day, on average, with one in three being from a teen considering suicide.

This long-sleeved t-shirt is one of the items which Bad Birdie and Teen Lifeline

are partnering on. (Courtesy Bad Birdie) “I wish I had known about Teen Lifeline when I was in high school,” said Richardson. “It could have made such a difference for some of my friends and classmates who struggled to feel hope for the future.”

Richardson engaged students at Pinnacle High School and Paradise Valley High School in Paradise Valley to model the capsule’s apparel and will use product photos taken by Pinnacle students for the Bad Birdie website. The five products in the new capsule include: a Nocturnal by Nature polo and bucket hat in dark blue with an organic black pattern, a Green Tee Shots polo and bucket hat in dark green with a tan floral pattern and a black long sleeve T-shirt carrying a message inspired by the Teen Lifeline tagline that says “You’re Not Alone.” “Our goal at Teen Lifeline is for every teen to feel connected to those around them and to know they’re not alone,” said Michelle Moorhead, executive director at Teen Lifeline. “We’re grateful to Jason Richardson and his team at Bad Birdie for the opportunity to collaborate and share that message with even more teens.”

Teens who are struggling to feel hope in their lives are encouraged to call Teen Lifeline at any time 24/7/365 at 602-248TEEN (8336) or 800-248-TEEN. Teens can also text with a teen peer counselor at 602-248-8336 between noon and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on weekends.

The 24-hour hotline is staffed by teen peer counselors from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. daily. Trained, professional counselors are available at all other times.

Bad Birdie brands itself as “a modernday golf apparel brand ushering in a new generation of players who prioritize a good game and a better time without compromising performance.”

It landed Number 202 on Inc 5000's Fastest Growing Companies in America in 2022. Their products are sold in over 1,000 retail and pro shops nationwide as well as in their retail shop at Kierland Commons.

Cyber security expert to speak at gun club

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Alocal expert on digital privacy and security will be lead a workshop on protecting sensitive information at the Scottsdale Gun Club.

Ishaan Reyna, founder of the Cyber Guard Academy, will speak from noon2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the gun club, 14860 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale Tickets are $40 for members and $60 for non-members. Tickets are at scottsdalegunclub.com/classes/cyberguard-academy/

Reyna, a Harvard University graduate student, will teach attendees how to identify, isolate and remove sensitive information from the internet and show people how they can reduce their digital footprint.

“This course is for anyone who values privacy and personal security,” the club said in a release. “All skill levels are welcome.”

“With every click and every transaction your personal information is exposed to the public, making you a target to criminals and those who wish to do you harm,” it added.

Reyna also will discuss common internet scams. There also will be an in-class raffle that includes over $4,000 in security related prizes.

Reyna is a cyber security advisor, university guest lecturer, and founder of Cyber Guard Academy, a concierge digital security firm operating at the intersections of open source intelligence, data privacy, and risk mitigation.

With experience in both the entertainment industry and intelligence community, Reyna has worked with law enforcement, military, and others to understand the crucial importance of cyber security for the protection of personal assets and safety of loved ones.